I could swear there was a KHL rule where NHLers without contracts had to sign a regular KHL deal, not a lockout contract. See: Kostitsyn, Andrei.

true. Ryan does not have NHL contract, so he is obligated to stay in KHL whole season (if signed). I read interview with GM of Magnitogorsk a few days ago, he said that club and Ryan was in talks about contract, but Ryan did not want to play KHL whole season, only lockout period. Magnitogorsk did not agree ... so no contract.GM of Magnitogorsk statement from last week... something changed?

true. Ryan does not have NHL contract, so he is obligated to stay in KHL whole season (if signed). I read interview with GM of Magnitogorsk a few days ago, he said that club and Ryan was in talks about contract, but Ryan did not want to play KHL whole season, only lockout period. Magnitogorsk did not agree ... so no contract.GM of Magnitogorsk statement from last week... something changed?

My only thought would be that him being a RFA nullifies the KHL restrictions and psuedo-lawyers him as having a contract in the NHL allowing him to sign a lockout deal. But I doubt anyone makes an exception for him this late into the season so I have to keep a healthy dose of reservation that this rumor has any truth behind it.

My only thought would be that him being a RFA nullifies the KHL restrictions and psuedo-lawyers him as having a contract in the NHL allowing him to sign a lockout deal. But I doubt anyone makes an exception for him this late into the season so I have to keep a healthy dose of reservation that this rumor has any truth behind it.

I am sure no exception for him. Magnitogorsk wanted (wants) him for whole season, no only lockout period. According to KHL rules, club can signed 3 NHLers with contract (Malkin, Gonchar, Kulyomin). Ryan is RFA, so he is not considered as NHLer. Yes, there can be gentelmen agreement, that if lockout ends, club will release him .. but as I wrote earlier - Magnirogorsk wants him for whole season. Does not make sense for club to make such verbal (gentelmen) deal.

There is rumour that KHL clubs will be able to sign another NHLer (one per team), so 4 NHLers. But it does not apply to Ryan, he is not consider as NHL because he is RFA, not have NHL contract.

Magnitogorsk "Metallurg" signed a contract with Canadian forward Ryan O `Reilly. The agreement is for the season 2013-2014. However, according to a verbal agreement, if Ryan will be offered a contract on more favorable terms in the National Hockey League (NHL), "Metallurg" will not prevent the conclusion of the contract.It should be noted that Ryan embraced the opportunity to play on the same team with his older brother. Unfortunately, Cal O `Reilly was injured and is now in New York, where in the next few days will be the operation and subsequent rehabilitation. So do not rule out the possibility that Ryan and Cal still play together this season.

So, will he get sued if he leaves for the NHL? Or is is just very intelligently done by his agent so the Avalanche have to offer him a good contract?

I don't know what to think about this move. I have a feeling his competitive nature wasn't satisfied practising with awful Jr. B teams during the lockout *coughchathammaroonscough*. I hope he doesn't get hurt and I'm really surprised its two years. At least he has an out clause. Still though 2 years? Going to definitely need some time to think about this.

one more time, it is not legally binding. There is said that he has to have MUCH BETTER NHL offer which can be 30 mil USD per season if Magnitogorsk thinks. All depends on Magnitogorsk´s decision now. My personal opinion is that he has 4-5 mil USD contract per season with Magnitogorsk. Just saying.

According to KHL rules verbal(gentlmen) agreements are not binding, written agreements based on civil law are not binding as well, and KHL contract can not have out clause. So the only solution is to have verbal deal - only legal way. Yes, other side can change its opinion, but in generall it has not been happening in KHL.

Last but not least, a player has a right to terminate contract earlier but he has to pay the XY% of remainder of contract to club. What is the problem? Ryan will play for Magnitogorsk 2 seasons or less.

The problem is that it feels like Metallurg wont accept that Ryan wants to leave they day NHL starts up, that they will point to a loophole that the Avs offer isn't financially better than the KHL-offer. Maybe.

It just feels like this will mean problem down the road... Hope I'm wrong though and I'm glad that Ryan will play in the second best league in the world during the lockout.